It’s hard to argue with the logic of Sen. David Blount, D-Jackson. Blount wants the state Department of Finance and Adminstration to control leases for state offices. Currently, each agency controls its own leases for office space.

This has created waste, as agencies naturally want to spend more money for bigger offices. A 2013 report by the Else School of Management at Millsaps College shows the state spending $312 per square feet for office space. This is higher than the federal government, which recommends $213. It really takes some work to outspend the federal government. The waste amounts to $5 million a year.